Lares Trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 Days | 4 Nights

5 Days / 4 Nights

5 Stars

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Tour Overview

The Lares Trek & Short Inca Trail (5 Days) is one of the most exciting combinations available. It perfectly blends nature, living culture, and history. The first part takes you through the Lares Valley, famous for its hot springs, high-altitude lakes, and indigenous weaving communities that maintain their ancestral traditions. The journey concludes by connecting with the Short Inca Trail (Km 104), allowing you to walk the original Inca path to the Sun Gate. Ideal for travelers seeking authenticity, solitude in the mountains, and the classic Inca entrance to Machu Picchu.

Meals Included: 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners.

5 Days / 4 Nights

PRICE FROM $821,00 per person

Places to visit: Cusco

Trip starts in: Hotel, Airbnb, or specific location in Cusco.

Physical Level: Moderate

Travel Style: Mixed

Group Size: 5 to 12 People

Total Distance: 75 km

Meals Included: 4 Breakfast(s), 4 Lunch(es), 4 Dinner(s)

Departures: Daily Departures

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1: Cusco – Calca – Lares Hot Springs – Cuncani Community

This wonderful adventure begins with the pick up from your hotel in Cusco at 5.30am and then transport you to Calca where you can see the market products in Calca if you wish it will be the place where you can have breakfast or coffee and then continue 2 hours more to the thermal baths of Lares. Once you arrive you will have 2 hours to enjoy the thermal medicinal waters of Lares (3,250m/10,662ft). After lunch you will start your hike in the direction of Cuncani (3,800m/12,467ft) where you will camp. From the thermal baths the trail begins with a 3 hour ascent to the camp of Cuncani, where you will spend the night in the middle of local people’s houses.

Distance: 8km / 4.9 miles
Approximate walking time: 3 hours.
Camp Elevation: (3,800m/12,467ft)
Difficulty: easy
Meals: lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Camping

Day 2

Day 2: Cuncani – Sicllaqasa Pass – Pacchayoc

Today day 2 you will wake up with a coca tea in your room service tent with different sounds such as: birds, alpacas. That will transport you to the world of the Incas. And later, just before you start walking, you will be able to see children going to school in their local uniform. Those will be a reason to know how happy they live even though they don’t live in the same condition of life as other city children. Afterwards we will drive uphill to the Sicllacassa pass (4.800m/15,748ft) passing several lakes and mountains with glaciers that will fill you with pure energy and the total silence of the cars, only the birds singing will fill you with energy. After the apacheta pass you will have a 40 minutes descent where you will have lunch in a qeuña forest (native plants of the area). After a siesta you will continue your trek downhill for another hour to the campsite pacchayoc (3600m/11,800ft), where you will spend the night in a different environment.

Distance: 14km / 8.7miles
Approximate walking time: 8hours.
Camp Elevation: (3600m/11,800ft).
Difficulty: Moderate – dificult.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Camping

Day 3

Day 3: Pacchayoc – Pumahuanca – Ollantaytambo

This day you will wake up with the singing of birds and our trekking team will wake you up with coca tea. To continue your journey after a healthy breakfast your morning will start with a 2 hours descent to Pumahuanca community where you will have lunch where the transport will arrive to continue with your itinerary. After lunch it will be the last place to say goodbye to the mountain chef because after this moment the next meals will be in a restaurant. When you are ready you will continue towards the salt mines of Maras where your guide will explain about this natural attraction, then the journey continues to Ollantaytambo (2,790m/9,150ft) where you will spend the night. Ollantaytambo is an ancient village since Inca times and part of the sacred valley.

Distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles
Approximate walking time: 2hours.
Camp Elevation: (3600m/11,800ft).
Difficulty: easy.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: hotel

Day 4

Day 4: Ollantaytambo – Km 104 (Inca Trail) – Sun Gate – Aguas Calientes

Today will be another day of great importance breakfast at the hotel then continue towards the train station our train will be one of the first train the train from Ollantaytambo to km.104 Chachabamba where the short Inca trail starts here is where you will have to show your tiket which we will give you, also your original passport. as first archaeological centre will be Chachabamba after exploring the place 2 hours climb to next archaeological center Wiñaywayna where you will spend more time exploring as well as getting full of history that your guide will tell you where you can also have your box lunch. Then we continue for another 1 hour to Puerta del Sol (Intipunku). This is the first point from where you will be able to see Machu Picchu from the top of a mountain. After all the photos, another 45 minutes more to Machu Picchu to take the classic photo and finish your day. Then you will leave Machupicchu and take a transport from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes town where you will spend the night. Dinner in a tourist restaurant. Rest and get to know Machupicchu.

Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
Approximate walking time: 5 hours.
Camp Elevation: 2000 m / 6560 ft.
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: hotel

Day 5

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu Tour – Cusco

Day that everyone dreams to reach Machupicchu is the magical energetic place and there are no words to describe it is the day where you will be able to spend about two hours with your guide receiving the necessary information about this beautiful wonder then this mountain if you want to explore a little more please ask for a more Huayna picchu tiket which is highly recommended. After all this you will return to the town of Aguas Calientes where you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo and then take a minivan to Cusco, where our service ends.

Distance: 3km / 1.8 miles(exploring machupicchu)
Approximate walking time: 2 hours.
Difficulty: easy
Meals: Breakfast.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included

Transfers: Door-to-door service (Hotel pick-up/drop-off).
Guide: Professional licensed local guide.
Permits: Entrance tickets to Lares route, Short Inca Trail (Km 104), and Machu Picchu.
Transport: Private bus (Days 1-3), Train to Km 104, Return Expedition Train, Buses to/from Machu Picchu (Round trip Day 5, Downward Day 4).
Accommodation:
- 2 Nights Camping (Lares).
- 2 Nights Hotel (1 in Ollantaytambo, 1 in Aguas Calientes) - 3-star standard.
Camping Gear: 4-person tents (for 2 pax), sleeping mats, dining tent, chairs.
Staff: Mountain Chef, Muleteers, Mules (for Lares section only).
Luggage: Duffel bag provided for up to 7kg of personal items (Carried by mules Days 1-3; transferred to hotel Day 4).
Meals: Gourmet mountain cuisine (4B, 4L, 4D).
Safety: First aid kit, Oxygen tank.

Not Included

First breakfast, last lunch.
Rentals: Trekking poles, Sleeping bag.
Tips: For the guide, cook, and muleteers.
Travel Insurance.

Packing List

To make your trip as comfortable as possible, we recommend bringing the following items:

Essentials & Documents

Local money

Medical kit

Passport

Sunscreen

Water

Clothing & Footwear

Cap and hat

Tennis and boots

Waterproof

Waterproof jacket

Equipment & Gear

Camera and cell phone

Portable charger

Small backpack

Sunglasses

Recommended Extras

Gel alcohol

Lanches snacks

Lip balm

Tour Map

Lares Trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 Days | 4 Nights Map

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Travel Tips & Recommendations

Essential Travel Info

Please read these recommendations carefully to prepare for your trip.

Bring gifts for the local children in Lares (fruits or school supplies, not candy). Prepare for cold nights in Lares and humid heat on the Inca Trail.

Optional Upgrades

Customize Your Experience

Enhance your trip with these optional upgrades available upon request.

Vistadome Train.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do this tour alone?

Yes, solo travelers are welcome. You can join an existing group (we group you with other travelers). If you are the only person booking, please contact us to check availability, as we require a minimum of 2 people to open a new departure date.

How far in advance should I book?

Because Day 4 involves the Short Inca Trail, you must book 4-6 months in advance. Permits for the Inca Trail (Km 104) are limited by the government and sell out quickly, especially for dates between May and September.

What is the accommodation like?

Days 1-2: High-quality camping equipment (North Face or similar tents).

Days 3-4: Clean, comfortable 3-star hotels in Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes with private bathrooms, hot showers, and Wi-Fi.

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